Facing $45 million in service cuts targeted for light rail and bus operations by March 30, St. Louis officials are seeking ways to apply $12 million in federal stimulus funds to blunt the budget knife. The $12 million, if able to be applied to operations, "means that close to a quarter of the deficit will be resolved if this switch goes through, and that's going to go to restoring service," said D.J. Wilson, a spokesman for East West Gateway Council of Governments, in St. Louis.
Transport stimulus funds are to be applied to “shovel-ready” capital projects, but the Council of Governments is exploring ways to juggle funding sources to accommodate such operational support. One option is to “flex” $12 million earmarked for highway projects, officials said.
But Dianne Williams, a spokeswoman for the Bi-State Development Agency which operates Metro LRT and bus operations, said no decision has been made. “In terms of operating, the jury is still out on whether any funds can be directed toward Metro from some other source," Williams said. "Nothing is coming directly from the stimulus for operations."
While in Washington DC for a conference on "International Road Safety" two weeks ago, the local TV news commented on WMATA wanting to use some of the "stimulus" for improving service. The report went on to explain that none of the money would be used to actually extend lines or offer new services, but would be used for deferred maintenance, upgrades and stocking replacement parts. My initial reaction was to ask "shouldn't these expenses be covered from farebox receipts (in a perfect world) and shouldn't the "stimulus" money go to offering new services, new routes or even replacement equipment to draw more riders to the system so that the ridership increases will help cover the daily maintenance expenses?
The link shows how WMATA would like to spend 528.9 million dollars.
http://wmata.com/about_metro/board_of_directors/board_docs/010809_FAOAEconomicStimulus.pdf
I suppose changing out light fixtures would generate jobs and keep the system "safe" for riders -- I didn't enjoy the "workout" of climbing 300+ steps in and out of the Dupont Circle station because all the escalators were out of service so maybe this is more pressing than extending a line to Dulles Airport.
Alot of the major cities are looking for some type of stimulus package for their light railroad. I wonder who's are those cities?
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